Chess Puzzle #1BW8g — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen f4; rook g4; bishop c3; pawns a2/c2/f2/f5/h4. Black: king g8; queen h5; rook g1; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/c5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg4 — rook g1→g4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen f4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop b7→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen b8→c8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pb3p1p/1p4p1/2p2P1q/5QRP/2B4K/P1P2P2/6r1 b - - 10 36

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